the week in news: 12.07.10

I haven't done a news post in a while because I could never find more than two seemingly important events happening on the same week enough to fill some blog space. Thankfully, this week was different. We had a store opening, an editor turned model and my generation's reality show wrap-up. Take a look.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Zimbio.com, RDuJour.com, Fashionologie.com, Style.com, JustJared.buzznet.com, HypeBeast.com, Vogue.co.uk, Telegraph.co.uk]

it's all in the skirt

It took me a while to realise why these pictures of Lauren Conrad seemed different. All the usual black and her jumbo Chanel were still there, her golden locks done up casually. It was the skirt. A burgundy satin skirt with two flaps on the sides as if a massive bow had been tied around her waist and left to rest upon her legs. It worked well with Lauren's style but it added a bit of an edge, which she really needed.

Skirts monopolise the best part of the spring as they are the perfect compromise between wearing a dress and having to cover the shoulders. In need of finding ways of creating something new and flirty yet lacking flamboyance designers and high street have found the best compromise in restrained but fun detailing. Pleats and drapery reign over SS10 with slightly uneven hemlines and that sinuous movement that a skirt should always have. Others have opted for layers of ruffles (the summer staple) or more generic A-line minis in neutral hues or covered in feathers.

1. Balenciaga @ Browns, 2. Top Shop, 3. Carven @ Net-a-Porter, 4. Theory @Net-a-Porter, 5. Adam @ Net-a-Porter, 6. Top Shop, 7. Diane Von Furstemberg @Net-a-Porter, 8. Oasis, 9. Erdem @ Browns, 10. Oasis, 11. New Look

What kind of skirts are you wearing this Spring?
I'm off.

[Pictures: As credited above, Celebrity-Gossip.net]

a CRUSH on her (or them)

I am yet to find something inspiring to bring more fashion to you. In the meantime, kill some time with this.

Willa Holland is responsible for this post. First it was The O.C. then, it was Gossip Girl. She has the habit of showing up by surprise on my favourite tv shows and I have a big big crush on her. So I started thinking... what were all the cute stylish girls doing when I went to high school? Here is a little list of my latest and not-so-new tv crushes. Have a look.

[Picture credits: JustJared, GossipGirls, Oh-Hilary.com]

I'm off.

into the FLARE

To be quite honest, I never thought I would see this happen any time soon. We all know it is just a matter of time until runway trends filter down to celebrity closets. Regardless of this, I could never imagine flare pants would do so this hastily. Some of the most iconic celebrities of the moment have not been able to resist wearing them. Have a look.

Hilary Duff's style has been changing a lot for the last couple of years. She has gone from girly to gipsy to chic independent woman. It's the latter that has provided what I would say is the top "flared look" so far. A black tank top tucked in plus a wide square-buckled belt. An intelligent choice for the very fit body.

Spotted yesterday, Lauren Conrad also in flared trousers. It follows Duff's vision, only this time the top is a bit baggy and white. I am glad Lauren is trying new things and reserving her enviously-massive short dress wardrobe for best-suited occasions. That very long hair adds a bit of a hippy touch to the overall look and a Chanel bag is always a good pick.

Another celeb wearing this trend a lot lately is Vicky Becks. Since her dVb line came out we have seen her several times in this light-blue denim flares. She, too, pulls them off remarkably due to that über-slim body of hers and to her obsession for tight tops. I find those white paint stains all over the denim very cool.

How could she possibly not appear in any post? Ashley Olsen is the Queen of fashion. Contrary to all the rest, Ashley started wearing flares months ago, before Lauren or Nicole even could consider getting a pair. Her trousers were wider from higher up the leg and she combined them with leather peep-toes and black leather biker jacker and an Hermès Birkin bag.

Of course, queen of hippy Nicole Richie could not escape this post either. Ever since Miss Rachel Zoe came her way, and even after leaving her, Nicole has not been the same. She is now a modern chic woman. Sleeve-less white top plus standard denim flares equals effortlessly stylish.

Last, someone I never though I would write about outside a list of disastrous clothing choices. Beyoncé Knowles looked quite good in those very wide kakis paired up with Chanel accessorizing. The whole ensemble is rather flattering on her, which also strikes me as a surprise. I suppose her mum (and stylist) can get it right every once in a while, right?

Tough as it was, I found some flare pants I could even say I like. It is not like they provoke utter disgust in me, but I strongly believe they only suit very few fortunate female bodies. I chose two denim ones from Top Shop, probably one of the best —if not the best— highstreet shops to get flares. The other one, a kaki option from Chloé. This, a chicer version, is quite like Beyoncé's and my personal favourite.

What will you do —join the craze or stick to skinny?

[Pictures credit: JustJared.com, Celebrity-Gossip.net, TopShop.com & Net-a-Porter.com]

I'm off.

power GIRLS

I am back with a celebrity post, something I haven't done for a while even though every once in a while one or two show up. As the weather changes the rich and famous search for new ways of looking stylish before the paparazzi while not passing out under the hard LA sun.

My winners of the moment are Heidi Klum and Lauren Conrad. As you may have noticed I am feeling quite fond of colour lately and they have pulled of very simple, colourful outfits. Heidi goes for grey skinny jeans, a white tee with beach-inspired prints in various hues, and purple flats with gold embroidery. If you ask me, the perfect touch are the sharp-cut bangs and the kick-a** orange sunglasses.

As with Lauren, it struck me that she was not wearing a dress or a skirt but red jeans! Hell yeah, girl! I have to say she looks specially hot in those and I thought the v-necked plain white tee was the perfect top for the jeans. Also, I would've never expected those huge red shades à la Kanye West but she rocked them too; and I am so glad she had her hair in a pony-tail, so she stops fixing her bangs every two seconds.

Anne Hathaway leaves me well impressed every time I glance at her candid outfits as of late. This time, however, it is the role in her last film that impressed me, or rather, her looks in it. I have always been a big big fan of though girls with good looks (Buffy TVS, Bond's girls...) and it seems Hathaway has just joined them in my very personal soVIP hall of fame.

Lastly, I wanted to include LiLo because I was enjoying much her looks up until this one when she decided to go back to her old boring self. Coco from Coco's Tea Party already pointed it out on her Hit and Miss of the week but it felt just right to put it out there once again. And, no, I don't like her as a blonde! (Notice the Miu Miu bag, Victoria Beckham wore it first; will it be the it bag of the season?)

[Pictures credit: JustJared and GossipGirls]

I'm off.

PS. None of you knew about this but I applied to London College of Fashion for next year and I just heard from them: I GOT IN!! :D I'm deliriously happy!!